Prince Harry Confirms New Job With Mental Health App Which Has Personally Helped Him Transform "Pain Into Purpose"

Prince Harry is ready for a new chapter in his life. Over the years, he's been a strong advocate for the need to prioritize one's mental health. From having to deal with the loss of his mother at the tender age of 12, to being a royal, to finding love and breaking free from tradition, the 36-year-old has been through a lot himself. With constant scrutiny from tabloids and the downside of being a public figure, the Duke of Sussex has often spoken about how it has affected his mental health. Now Princess Diana's youngest son is focussing on spreading the message of working on one's mental fitness to come out stronger than ever, something he's been dealing with first-hand.

Last year Harry stepped down from his role as a senior working member of the royal family. Many wondered what he would do next. The answer is finally here. The Duke of Sussex will become chief impact officer of coaching and mental health company BetterUp Inc., reported the Wall Street Journal. Prince Harry told the outlet, "I intend to help create impact in people's lives. Proactive coaching provides endless possibilities for personal development, increased awareness, and an all-round better life." Harry has been using the company's resources for a couple of months, and it's something that has helped him heal while on his own journey. "I was matched with my coach who, quite frankly, is truly awesome and has always given me sound advice and a fresh perspective, which is so valuable," he said.

Harry met BetterUp CEO Alexi Robichaux through a mutual friend last fall. Robichaux mentioned that the former royal will be joining the company's leadership team as an "officer of the corporation." He also described Harry's involvement in the company as a "meaningful and meaty role." According to PEOPLE, in a blog post on the app's website, Harry wrote that he firmly believes "that focusing on and prioritising our mental fitness unlocks potential and opportunity that we never knew we had inside of us. As the Royal Marine Commandos say, 'It's a state of mind.' We all have it in us. Being attuned with your mind, and having a support structure around you, are critical to finding your own version of peak performance. What I've learned in my own life is the power of transforming pain into purpose. As BetterUp's first Chief Impact Officer, my goal is to lift up critical dialogues around mental health, build supportive and compassionate communities, and foster an environment for honest and vulnerable conversations. And my hope is to help people develop their inner strength, resilience, and confidence."

Harry more recently opened up about the loss of his mom in a foreword to a book titled Hospital by the Hill, which is about a young person coping with the loss of their mother, who had been working on the frontline at a hospital during the coronavirus pandemic. "When I was a young boy I lost my mum," Harry wrote. "At the time I didn't want to believe it or accept it, and it left a huge hole inside of me. I know how you feel, and I want to assure you that over time that hole will be filled with so much love and support. We all cope with loss in a different way, but when a parent goes to heaven, I was told their spirit, their love and the memories of them do not. They are always with you and you can hold onto them forever. I find this to be true."

The 36-year-old is using his influence to help others who have been through hardships and are finding ways to heal. In his foreword, he added, "Now, I never met them, but I know this person was special to you, and they were someone incredibly kind, caring and loving because of where they chose to work. Helping others is one of the most important jobs anyone can ever do. You may feel alone, you may feel sad, you may feel angry, you may feel bad. This feeling will pass. And I will make a promise to you – you will feel better and stronger once you are ready to talk about how it makes you feel."

Not only has Harry struggled with his mental health, his wife Meghan Markle also revealed in the pair's recent sit-down interview with Oprah Winfrey that she struggled with suicidal thoughts when she lived in the royal household. "I was ashamed to say it at the time and ashamed to have to admit it to Harry. But I knew that if I didn't say it — then I would do it," she said. "I just didn't want to be alive anymore. That was clear and real and frightening and constant thought." Meghan said she "thought it would have solved everything for everyone." Since then Meghan has been working on her mental health, along with her husband. As they heal, it looks like the couple is reaching out to others, in whatever way they can, to help them heal as well.

References:

https://www.wsj.com/articles/prince-harry-is-taking-on-a-new-job-title-chief-impact-officer-at-betterup-11616500802

https://people.com/royals/prince-harry-new-job-betterup-chief-impact-officer/

https://people.com/royals/prince-harry-writes-foreword-book-children-coping-loss/

https://people.com/royals/meghan-markle-oprah-interview-suicidal-didnt-want-be-alive/

Cover image source: Getty Images | Photo by Jeremy Selwyn - WPA Pool